A Clearinghouse for Information about Blood Clots (DVT/)PE) and Clotting Disorders (thrombophilia) provided as a public service by the University of North Carolina Blood Research Center

Category: Blood thinners (anticoagulants)

  • Xarelto (Rivaroxaban) – FDA Approved

    On July 1st, the FDA approved the oral blood thinner Xarelto (rivaroxaban) for the prevention of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in patients undergoing  knee or hip replacement surgery.

  • Eliquis (Apixaban) – Good News

    Eliquis (Apixaban) is one of the 4 promising new oral “blood thinners” that (a) do not require monitoring of its “blood thinning” (anticoagulant) effect, i.e. do not require INR monitoring, and (b) do not interfere with vitamin K in the diet, i.e. patients can eat what they want.

  • Starting Pradaxa – Checklist

    What topics need to be discussed with the patient who wants to start Pradaxa (Dabigatran)? A structured, bulleted checklist may be helpful in your discussion with the patient, to make sure all relevant points are addressed. A suggested list is here.

  • Starting Pradaxa? – Checklist

    What topics do you need to discuss with your physican or anticoagulation clinic pharmacist or nurse when you are considering starting Pradaxa (Dabigatran)? A structured, bulleted checklist may be helpful for the discussion, to make sure that all relevant points are addressed. A suggested list is here.

  • Coumadin Clinics – Finding One Near You

    If you are on warfarin (Coumadin®, Jantoven®) you need to be followed in a structured way to optimize your warfarin therapy and minimize the risk for bleeding and clotting. The “thinness” of your blood needs to be determined on a regular basis with a test called INR (International Normalized Ratio; also referred to as PT, protime,…

  • Anticoagulation Clinics – Finding One for Your Patient

    Patients on warfarin need to be followed in a systematic way to optimize safety and efficacy of therapy [ref 1]. While smaller-volume physician practices may well have appropriate criteria in place, structured anticoagulation clinics often have the expertise and resources for optimal anticoagulation management. The location of a number of anticoagulation clinics in the U.S.…

  • Pradaxa – What Your Physician/Hospital Wants to Know

    If you are considering to start therapy with the new oral “blood thinner” Pradaxa®, there are a few safety nets that your local hospital and physician may want to establish to make therapy as safe as possible for you. Issues to be addressed are (a) dosing, (b) management of major bleeding, (c) interruption of therapy…

  • Pradaxa (Dabigatran) – Hospital Guideline

    The new oral anticoagulant Pradaxa® (Dabigatran) is increasingly being used as an alternative to warfarin.   A number of practical management questions are now encountered by the physician, pharmacist, or other health care professional taking care of the patient on Pradaxa®, such as (a) dosing in renal impairment, (b) conversion of a patient on warfarin…